This weekend is one of the busiest of the summer, with Vancouver Pride Week kicking off, the CFL’s Lions returning home, and two major free cultural festivals landing on the same two days. If you only make it to a couple of things, prioritize the Vancouver Chinatown Festival, the Caribbean Days Festival in Coquitlam, and the BC Lions’ home opener at BC Place on Saturday. Arts Club’s Come From Away is also in its final days, so this is your last chance to catch it before it closes. Friday night has one standout: Science World’s outdoor After Dark event, a good warm-up if you want to start the weekend early.
Sports
BC Lions vs. Toronto Argonauts
Date: Saturday, July 25, 2026
Venue/place: BC Place Stadium
The BC Lions play their first home game back at BC Place this season, following the FIFA World Cup’s use of the stadium, taking on the Toronto Argonauts.
Who is it for: CFL fans and anyone looking for a fun stadium atmosphere
Why worth checking out: The Lions’ long-awaited return to their home turf after playing early-season games in Kelowna
Price: Varies by seating
Link: https://www.bclions.com/
Festivals & Culture
Vancouver Chinatown Festival
Date: Saturday, July 25 & Sunday, July 26, 2026, noon to 6 p.m.
Venue/place: Columbia Street and Keefer Street, Vancouver
Now in its 23rd year, this free festival fills Vancouver’s historic Chinatown with an artisan market, a Kids Zone, international food trucks, and live entertainment spread across the neighbourhood.
Who is it for: Families, foodies, and anyone curious about one of Vancouver’s oldest and most storied neighbourhoods
Why worth checking out: A free, walkable celebration that combines great street food with a real sense of community and history
Price: Free
Link: https://www.vancouver-chinatown.com/festival
Caribbean Days Festival
Date: Saturday, July 25 (10 a.m.–10 p.m.) & Sunday, July 26, 2026 (11 a.m.–8 p.m.)
Venue/place: Town Centre Park, Coquitlam
One of BC’s largest and longest-running cultural celebrations returns to Lafarge Lake for its 36th year, with a Saturday morning parade, two stages of Caribbean music and dance, a craft market, and a full lineup of Caribbean food vendors.
Who is it for: Families, music lovers, and anyone who wants a full day of food, colour, and Caribbean culture
Why worth checking out: A massive, free, two-day festival with a genuinely festive parade and headline performers on both days
Price: Free
Link: https://www.caribbeandays.ca/
Vancouver Pride Week Kickoff
Date: Begins Saturday, July 25, 2026, running through August 2
Venue/place: Various locations across Vancouver
Vancouver Pride’s 2026 theme, “Unapologetically Queer,” launches this weekend with the start of a full week of programming leading up to the Davie Village Pride Festival and the 48th annual Pride Parade on August 2. Expect dance parties, drag shows, and community events kicking off across the city.
Who is it for: The LGBTQ2S+ community and allies looking to celebrate all week long
Why worth checking out: The start of one of Vancouver’s biggest annual celebrations, with events for every kind of night out
Price: Varies by event; many are free
Link: https://activevancouver.ca/pride-edition-the-ultimate-queer-friendly-guide-to-metro-vancouver/
Food & Drinks
False Creek Crab Fest
Date: Sunday, July 26, 2026, noon to 4 p.m.
Venue/place: False Creek Fishermen’s Wharf
The fourth annual Crab Fest returns to Vancouver’s working harbour with a Dungeness crab boil from chefs Vish Mayekar and Johnny Bridge, craft beer and wine, live music, and the rare chance to meet the local fishers who caught your lunch.
Who is it for: Seafood lovers and anyone who wants a waterfront afternoon with great food
Why worth checking out: Fresh, local Dungeness crab in one of the city’s most scenic harbour settings, with proceeds supporting BC’s sustainable crab fishery
Price: $70 general admission plus tax in advance; $75 at the door
Link: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/false-creek-crab-fest-2026-general-admission-tickets-1991583110696
Arts & Culture
Come From Away
Date: Now playing–July 26, 2026 (final weekend)
Venue/place: Stanley BFL CANADA Stage, Arts Club Theatre Company
This beloved musical tells the true story of the small Newfoundland town of Gander, which welcomed thousands of stranded air travellers after 9/11. It’s a heartfelt, Canadian-made hit that has toured the world since its Arts Club premiere, and this is its closing weekend.
Who is it for: Musical theatre fans and anyone who appreciates a moving true story
Why worth checking out: A genuinely uplifting, Canadian story told with warmth and humour, and your last chance to see it on this run
Price: Varies by date and seating
Link: https://activevancouver.ca/events/come-from-away-arts-club-theatre-musical/
The Play That Goes Wrong
Date: Now playing–August 16, 2026
Venue/place: Lindsay Family Stage (Granville Island Stage), Arts Club Theatre Company
This uproarious farce follows the accident-prone Cornley Drama Society as they attempt to stage a 1920s murder mystery, only for everything from missing props to collapsing sets to go hilariously wrong.
Who is it for: Theatre lovers and anyone who enjoys physical comedy and slapstick
Why worth checking out: A fast-paced, laugh-out-loud show that’s suitable for teens and adults alike
Price: Varies by date and seating
Link: https://artsclub.com/shows/
Bard on the Beach (Vanier Park)
Date: Now playing through September 2026
Venue/place: Vanier Park (Bard on the Beach)
Bard’s full 2026 season is in swing this weekend, with four productions running in repertory: The Merry Wives of Windsor, Macbeth, Antigone, and Goblin:Oedipus.
Who is it for: Shakespeare fans and anyone looking for a summer evening of theatre by the water
Why worth checking out: One of Canada’s largest professional Shakespeare festivals, with something for both classic and adventurous theatregoers
Price: Varies by date and seating
Link: https://activevancouver.ca/events/bard-on-the-beach-the-merry-wives-of-windsor-theatre/
Markets & Shopping
Steveston Farmers & Artisans Market
Date: Sunday, July 26, 2026
Venue/place: Garry Point Park, Steveston Village, Richmond
This bi-weekly market brings together roughly 60 vendors selling fresh produce, baked goods, and handmade artisan crafts, right by the Steveston waterfront.
Who is it for: Locals and visitors who enjoy browsing farmers markets and craft vendors
Why worth checking out: A relaxed, scenic market experience combined with a stroll through historic Steveston Village
Price: Free admission
Link: https://activevancouver.ca/events/steveston-farmers-artisans-market-outdoor-market/
Richmond Night Market
Date: Friday, Saturday & Sunday (through September 20, 2026)
Venue/place: 8351 River Road, Richmond
North America’s largest night market is running all weekend, featuring over 500 food vendors, more than 100 retail stalls, live entertainment, and the returning 600-foot Skyrush Zipline.
Who is it for: Families, foodies, and anyone who loves a lively night market atmosphere
Why worth checking out: An unmatched variety of street food and only-in-Richmond entertainment
Price: $7 general admission (free for children under 7 and seniors 60+)
Link: https://activevancouver.ca/events/richmond-night-market-market/
Friday Night (July 24)
Science World After Dark
Date: Friday, July 24, 2026, 6–10 p.m.
Venue/place: Science World, Ken Spencer Science Park
If you want to start the weekend a day early, Science World is hosting a special outdoor edition of its After Dark series, with a live science show, local musicians, and access to Ken Spencer Science Park before guests head inside to explore the dome.
Who is it for: Adults looking for a science-meets-nightlife evening
Why worth checking out: A relaxed, grown-up spin on Science World with music and drinks alongside the exhibits
Price: Ticketed
Link: https://activevancouver.ca/events
Movies (What’s On)
The Odyssey
Christopher Nolan’s sweeping adaptation of Homer’s epic, starring Matt Damon as Odysseus alongside Tom Holland, Anne Hathaway, Zendaya, and Charlize Theron, is now playing in theatres across Metro Vancouver, including IMAX. Shot largely on IMAX film, it’s one of the most anticipated releases of the year and a genuine big-screen event this weekend.
Why worth checking out: A true theatrical event best experienced in IMAX
Read our special guide why it’s worth seeing in IMAX: https://activevancouver.ca/where-to-watch-the-odyssey-in-imax-near-vancouver-bc/
Event dates and times may change. Please confirm details directly with the official organizers before attending.